Folding container for merchandise



1933- A. J. TANNER FOLDING CONTAINER FOR MERCHANDISE Filed Sept. 2, 1931k1- TomvEv Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics FOLDINGCONTAINER FOR MERCHANDISE 'Arnold J. Tanner, North Haven, Conn.

Application September 2, 1931. Serial No. 560,703

2 Claims.

The present invention has relation to containers for packing merchandiseand one object of the invention is to provide a simple and economicalfolder suitable for individual packing of articles of irregular shape.Another object is to make the container of a conforming shape so thatthe packed article will fit snugly therein, and so that the individualcontainers will fit closely one against or over another therebycompletely filling a gross container used for packing a number of thearticles for shipment, storage and display. Heretofore, especially witharticles of irregular shape, there is more or less empty space left inthe packing and accordingly there is an unnecessary waste of materialand space, and furthermore, often additional padding or stufling must beemployed to prevent the articles from moving about within the packageand thereby creating obvious disadvantages.

With the present invention, the improved container is in the nature of afolder composed of a single sheet blank of paper-board of suitablethickness and said blank is cut out and creased so as to fold into atriangular shape having sloping top and side walls, a perpendicular backand a fiat bottom. The container may, however, be designed to formdifferent angular shapes but a triangular shape having the back wall atright angles to the bottom, is preferable. In this case the containerhas right angle lower corners and acute angle top and end corners and isin shape similar to the half portion of a square or rectangle diagonallydivided into two equal portions. It will be understood that theseimproved triangular shaped containers placed in pairs one on top of theother, will together form a pile or stack of square or rectangular shapeso as to permit close packing in a gross container of a correspondingshape.

The improved container can be conveniently folded around the article tobe packed to form a receptacle which is closed and retained in a closedcondition by self-retentive means composed or formed of integral partsof the blank of which the container is constructed and throughemployment of such means, gluing or use of equivalent retaining meanssuch as looking tabs or the like, is avoided.

The invention will be more fully described hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowing the improved container in a closed condition;

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing the container in its open condition;

Figure 3 is an elevation showing two of the containers placed togetherfor packing and one of said containers being shown in section; and

Figure 4 is a plan View of the complete blank of which the improvedcontainer is composed.

Referring to said drawing first to Figure 4 wherein a form of blank isshown which is employed in carrying out an embodiment of the invention.,The said blank designated by the character A, is composed of a singlesheet of 5 paper-board divided by crease lines a soas to define threeportions 1, 2 and 3 forming respectively the bottom, top or cover, andthe back wall f the container. Section 1 has extending therefromportions 4 of a triangular shape which form 7 the end or walls of thecontainer and flaps 5 are connected to said end wall and arranged tofold inwardly to form flanges. Portion 3 has folded corner extensions 6and the portions 4 have corresponding extensions '7. These portions 3and 4 are also connected together at the diagonal folding crease line 8.These portions 6--7 form inwardly folding corner sections located one ateach side of the container. The container has no front wall and whensaid container is closed 30 the bottom 1 and top or cover 2 are joinedtogether at the apex b or longest end of the triangle. Said cover or topmember 2 of the container is provided with a folding flap 9 which uponfolding the cover into its closing position is brought over 5 the foldedcorner sections 6-'? and which latter members thus provide a pocket 10to receive said insert flap 9. flap 9 is engaged and held entirely byfrictional contact alone within said pocket. Said corner sections 6-7therefore provide self-retentive closure means at the back of thecontainer and the inwardly extending flanges 5 effectually close thesides of the container at the top and said flanges also operate as asupporting seat for the sides of the top or cover 2.

In the operation of the device, the article 11 represented by brokenlines, is placed on the blank A which is then folded on the crease linesa. Simultaneously, the side wall forming portions 4 of the blank arebrought to a vertical position and the back Wall forming portion 3 islikewise brought to a vertical position. The folding of these portionswill at the same time fold the corner portions 6-'7 inwardly thusforming the completed receptacle around the article 11. After thisfolding operation the flaps 5 and the cover section 2 are folded overand the insert end 9 is engage within the retaining pocket 10. Thecontainer is by this means set up into its operative or closed conditionand to open the container it is simply necessary to withdraw the insertend 9 from engagement in the pocketand the container will then becompletely opened so as to permit inspection or removal of the contentsthereof.

Various modifications may be made in carrying out the inventionhereinbefore described and it is to be understood that any modificationcoming fairly within the terms of the appended claims shall be coveredthereby.

I claim:

1. A box structure as described composed of a sheet blank, said blankhaving creases defining portions folding on said creases to form thebottom, top and triangular single side walls of the structure, saidblank at one end having inwardly folding portions forming a pocket toreceive and retentively hold the opposite end of said blank whereby thestructure is retained in its closed condition, and said blank havingoppositely disposed flanges extending from said side walls providingclosure means for the sides of the structure.

2. A box structure as described composed of a sheet blank, said blankhaving creases defining portions folding on said creases to form thebottom, top, a back wall and triangular single side walls of thestructure, inwardly folding portions connecting said back and side wallsforming a pocket to receive and retentively hold the free end of saidblank whereby the structure is retained in its closed condition, andsaid blank having oppositely disposed flanges extending from said sidewalls providing closure means for the sides of the structure.

ARNOLD J. TANNER.

